Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising receiving an application request from a requestor, determining, based upon the application request, an application topology associated with an application, the application topology defining a plurality of virtual functions and a data flow among the plurality of virtual functions, triggering creation of the plurality of virtual functions in a computing environment, receiving, from each virtual function of the plurality of virtual functions, an associated indication of capabilities of the virtual function, wherein the indication of the capabilities is generated by the virtual function, and initiating chaining of the plurality of virtual functions.
This system automates the deployment and configuration of virtualized network functions in a computing environment. The problem addressed is the manual and error-prone process of setting up and connecting multiple virtual functions (VFs) to form a complete application. The system receives an application request from a requestor, which specifies the desired application topology. This topology defines the virtual functions needed and the data flow between them. The system then triggers the creation of these virtual functions in the computing environment. Each virtual function, once created, reports its capabilities back to the system. The system uses these capability indications to dynamically chain the virtual functions together, ensuring proper data flow and interoperability. This automation reduces deployment time, minimizes configuration errors, and improves scalability by allowing dynamic adjustments to the application topology as needed. The system is particularly useful in cloud computing and network function virtualization (NFV) environments where rapid and flexible deployment of virtualized services is required.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising: determining how the plurality of virtual functions should be chained.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising determining how the plurality of virtual functions should be chained based upon: the application topology; a library comprising an application template, a policy, and a rule; and the indication of the capabilities.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the application request comprises a request to create the application.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the application request comprises a request to scale the application.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the application request comprises a request to activate the application.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein triggering creation of the plurality of virtual functions comprises creating a command and sending the command to a device associated with the computing environment.
8. A computer storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving an application request from a requestor; determining, based upon the application request, an application topology associated with an application, the application topology defining a plurality of virtual functions and a data flow among the plurality of virtual functions; triggering creation of the plurality of virtual functions in a computing environment; receiving, from each virtual function of the plurality of virtual functions, an associated indication of capabilities of the virtual function, wherein the indication of the capabilities is generated by the virtual function; and initiating chaining of the plurality of virtual functions.
9. The computer storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising: determining how the plurality of virtual functions should be chained.
10. The computer storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising determining how the plurality of virtual functions should be chained based upon: the application topology; a library comprising an application template, a policy, and a rule; and the indication of the capabilities.
11. The computer storage medium of claim 8 , wherein triggering creation of the plurality of virtual functions comprises creating a command and sending the command to a device associated with the computing environment.
12. The computer storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the application request comprises a request to create the application.
A system and method for managing application requests in a computing environment involves processing requests to create or modify applications. The system receives an application request, which may include a request to create a new application, and validates the request against predefined criteria. If the request is valid, the system generates a unique identifier for the application and stores metadata associated with the application in a database. The system also enforces security policies to ensure that only authorized users can create or modify applications. The method includes steps for parsing the request, validating the request, generating the unique identifier, and storing the application metadata. The system may also log the request for auditing purposes. The invention improves application management by automating the creation and validation process, reducing manual errors, and ensuring compliance with security policies. The system is particularly useful in cloud computing environments where multiple applications are managed dynamically.
13. The computer storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the application request comprises a request to scale the application.
14. The computer storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the application request comprises a request to activate the application.
15. A method comprising: receiving, by a processor that executes an application creation module, an application request from a requestor; determining, by the processor and based upon the application request, an application topology associated with an application, the application topology defining a plurality of virtual functions and a data flow among the plurality of virtual functions; triggering, by the processor, creation of the plurality of virtual functions in a computing environment; receiving, by the processor and from each virtual function of the plurality of virtual functions, an associated indication of capabilities of the virtual function, wherein the indication of the capabilities is generated by the virtual function; and initiating, by the processor, chaining of the plurality of virtual functions.
This invention relates to automated application deployment in virtualized computing environments, addressing the challenge of dynamically creating and configuring interconnected virtual functions to form a complete application. The method involves receiving an application request from a user, which specifies the desired application. A processor executing an application creation module determines the application topology, which defines the virtual functions (e.g., software components or services) required and the data flow between them. The processor then triggers the creation of these virtual functions in a computing environment, such as a cloud or virtualized infrastructure. Each virtual function reports its capabilities, which are used to dynamically configure the system. Finally, the processor initiates the chaining of these virtual functions, establishing the necessary connections and data flow paths to form a functional application. This approach automates the deployment and configuration of complex applications, reducing manual intervention and improving scalability. The method ensures that virtual functions are properly interconnected based on their reported capabilities, enabling efficient and adaptive application deployment.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: determining how the plurality of virtual functions should be chained based upon the application topology.
Application deployment and management. This invention addresses the challenge of efficiently organizing and executing a set of virtual functions within an application, particularly when the application's structure, or topology, dictates specific dependencies or workflows between these functions. The approach involves a method for deploying an application that includes multiple virtual functions. A key step is to analyze the designed structure or topology of the application. Based on this understanding of how the different parts of the application are meant to interact and flow, a determination is made regarding the optimal sequence or arrangement in which the virtual functions should be linked together. This chaining of virtual functions is specifically configured to align with and support the overall application topology, ensuring that the virtual functions operate in a manner consistent with the application's intended design and data flow.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining how the plurality of virtual functions should be chained based upon: the application topology; a library comprising an application template, a policy, and a rule; and the indication of the capabilities.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the application request comprises a request to create the application.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the application request comprises a request to scale the application.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the application request comprises a request to activate the application.
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March 30, 2021
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